Hangry Bites

Photography by Elena Mari and Nathan Legiehn

Hello, it’s me. I was wondering if after all these years you’d like to meet? Forgive me for using Adelle lyrics to get your attention. I’m, quite honestly, trying to mask my embarrassment about being away for so long. It’s been a long time, hasn’t it? If I’m being honest, it feels weird to write this with an assumption that anyone is even here and reading it like, “Hey! I’ve not talked to you in a really long time, but listen to what I have to say!” It’s totally cool; I get that it’s weird and I have no assumptions that anyone is here at all. Or that you care about what I have to say. I’m just hoping you’ll give me a chance to give you a reason to come back.

Despite the weirdness of it all, it’s incredibly refreshing and invigorating to be here again. So thank you for that. Truth be told, I wasn’t sure if I was ever going to be able come back. A lot has happened in my life over the past few years and it all culminated in an avalanche of challenge–the death of my mother, being laid-off from my job, and myself becoming a mama to an incredible girl. Under the circumstances, I think it’s a fair use of the term “a lot.” I’m not trying to make excuses, but blogging about food just didn’t seem important when my family was heartbroken or just trying to get through the early, magical-but-rough days of newborn life. I have genuinely missed this space, though. And throughout my time away, I’ve often thought about coming back. I’ve talked endlessly about it with family and friends, but knew that my return would have to take on a different perspective. To give you an example, in one of the last posts I wrote, I commented that the dish “packs well for lunch the next day, so if you’re a single lady you have dinner and lunch.” Feeding my family of three now, this note feels foreign to me. For this space to feel like mine again there’s going to be some different, added content that I hope will reflect an authenticity in my current life as well as some work that honours what my mom chose to bring into the world–coziness, community togetherness, sharing, hosting, food, and family. Stay tuned.

Speaking of family, I’m travelling right now with mine. We’re taking 2 months of parental leave together and spending quality time hanging out with our girl, who is an absolute ray of sunshine. I’ll write more about Basia-Graye (named after my mom and pronounced Basha-Grey) as this space unfolds again because she’s how I spend all of my days now. Until then, I’ll leave you with these bites. They’re from the new Greenhouse Cookbook–a vibrant, plant-centric cookbook born out of local Toronto juicery and all around innovative/cool-as-heck food shop, Greenhouse Juice Co. I made them to take on the plane with us to help tame the belly rumblings on flights and in between meals. (I also packed our meals because I’m weird like that.) Since Basia-Graye isn’t able to be around nuts right now, I subbed in sunflower seed butter for the almond butter. I also used them as a fridge/pantry clean-out before our trip, subbing in fresh blood orange juice for the lemon juice as well as golden berries for the dried blueberries. They yielded a chewy, subtly sweet ball with a robustness that made them an excellent pop-in-your-mouth snack for when your meal isn’t quite ready yet–or as the name suggests, when you’re getting hangry. I recommend not forgoing the coconut coating; it really tied everything together. If you’re interested in greener living, I’d recommend checking out this book. There are 100 plant-based recipes, “50 to eat with a fork, spoon or your fingers, and 50 to serve in a glass” and they’ll make you feel like you’re doing your body good, plane ride or not.

Method:
In a food processor, pulse all ingredients until well combined. Form into 1- to 2-inch balls and roll them in coconut flakes. Store in the fridge for up to a week or in the freezer for about a month.

Kris

Hi Kris, landed here from FBC Forum.. Firstly welcome back to the blogging world, I hope you find it as fun and satisfying as before and more.. I am excited that I can actually eat these energy balls on my current diet (minus the maple syrup) Perfect snack!

Kris

Welcome back. I’m sorry to read about your mom and job, but it’s wonderful news about your baby girl. I know this comment is late to the party but I wanted to let you know that you’re not alone. Since I became a mom just over 15 months ago, the blog that I hoped would one day turn into a business got the back burner and it’s still back there. I know I want to do something with it again one day but I’m busy being a mama and studying to become a holistic nutritionist so for now it stays put until the time comes for it to take on a new life that is more true to my life these days. Best of luck to you from someone who totally gets it.

Kris

Nissrine, Thanks so much for your sweet words, mama! There’s no such thing as late to the party when it comes to blog posts. Mamahood is HARD. I’m lucky if I can get dressed and tidy up the kitchen on a given day. My girl still requires A LOT of my attention. I’m slowly, but surely making my way back here without any pressure, you know? It sounds like you’re in the same boat with studies on top of it all! I hope that you make it back to your blog soon, too. Wishing you all the best!